BOI企业须在2025年8月1日前完成单一窗口新注册

Starting August 1, 2025, all companies promoted by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) are required to complete a new online registration to access the government’s Single Window system for work permits and visas. This requirement applies even to companies with existing accounts and is aimed at enhancing the security and integration of Thailand’s digital government services.

Under the new process, a Thai authorized representative of the company must verify their identity through the national “ThaiID” mobile application, while foreign representatives must complete an email-based identity verification. The registration is mandatory, and companies that fail to complete it by the deadline risk losing access to the online platform used to process expatriate work permits and visa applications. [FRAGOMEN]

自2025年8月1日起，所有获得泰国投资促进委员会（BOI）扶持的企业必须完成新的在线注册，方可使用政府单一窗口系统办理工作许可和签证业务。此项规定适用于所有企业，包括已注册账户的企业，旨在提升泰国数字政府服务的安全性和系统整合性。

根据新规，企业泰国籍授权代表需通过国家"ThaiID"移动应用程序完成身份验证，外籍代表则需通过电子邮件进行身份核验。该注册为强制性要求，未能在截止日期前完成注册的企业，将面临无法使用外籍人员工作许可和签证申请在线办理平台的风险。 [FRAGOMEN]

New business registrations in Thailand are expected to remain flat at 85,000 for 2025, mirroring last year’s levels, as uncertainty over upcoming U.S. tariffs dampens investor confidence, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD). While the government’s stimulus programs — including domestic tourism co-payment schemes and low-interest loans for small and medium-sized enterprises — are expected to support sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and transport, concerns over U.S. reciprocal tariff measures are prompting many firms to delay registration and investment decisions.

DBD Director-General Auramon Supthaweethum noted that while first-half registrations reached 43,838, this reflected a 5.49 percent year-on-year decline. The outlook for the second half has weakened due to export-related concerns tied to pending U.S. trade decisions. To mitigate the potential fallout, the DBD plans to support Thai entrepreneurs through initiatives such as business-matching events, digital marketing promotion, and the adoption of AI-backed office technologies.

Meanwhile, foreign business activity remains robust, with 502 new foreign-owned companies registered under the Foreign Business Act in the first half of 2025, totaling THB 112 billion (USD 3.2 billion) in investment. The top investing countries were Japan, the U.S., China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. U.S. investments have been concentrated in engineering, retail, consulting services, and manufacturing components for electronics and jewelry. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Excise Department is preparing to revise the vehicle tax structure to incentivize electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to use more locally produced components. Under the proposed changes, imported EVs with a higher proportion of domestic parts would benefit from reduced excise tax rates, while those with minimal local content would face higher levies. The policy aims to strengthen Thailand’s auto parts industry, which employs around 900,000 workers and includes over 2,000 manufacturers.

The move is being developed in coordination with the Board of Investment (BoI), which oversees EV investment promotion. The first vehicle category to see the tax adjustment based on local content is expected to be pickups, given Thailand’s role as a regional production hub for the segment.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, widely seen as the de facto leader of  the ruling Pheu Thai Party, recently voiced support for such a policy, noting that zero-tariff EV imports under existing free trade agreements—especially with China—have placed local manufacturers at a disadvantage. The initial ASEAN–China FTA, signed over 20 years ago, did not anticipate the rise of modern EVs.

The shift comes amid surging EV adoption in Thailand, with battery, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid EV registrations increasing from 84,500 units in 2022 to 206,000 in 2024. During this period, over 640 investment projects with a combined value of more than THB 280 billion (USD 8.1 billion) sought BoI incentives.

Existing government EV subsidies already require manufacturers to set up local production in exchange for import-based discounts. For instance, under the EV3.5 scheme, firms must produce twice as many vehicles as they import by 2026 — and triple by 2027 — or repay the subsidies. The proposed excise tax adjustments would reinforce this localization push by directly linking tax rates to domestic value-added content. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s newly launched cryptocurrency sandbox is expected to enhance the country’s appeal to tech-savvy, high-spending tourists while positioning it as a regional digital financial hub. Developed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand, the initiative will allow foreign tourists to convert digital assets into Thai baht via licensed operators and spend them seamlessly through e-money services nationwide — including at roadside vendors and high-end retailers.

The sandbox, overseen by multiple regulatory bodies, aims to create real-world use cases for digital assets and support broader crypto adoption. Proponents argue it offers long-term benefits beyond tourism, including the attraction of blockchain firms, crypto conferences, and fintech investment. It also equips Thai merchants with exposure to digital payment systems and strengthens local understanding of emerging financial technologies.

Complementing the sandbox, the Finance Ministry recently introduced a five-year exemption on capital gains tax for cryptocurrency transactions made via locally licensed platforms. The measure is designed to draw investors back to domestic exchanges and reinforce regulatory oversight, investor protection, and ecosystem credibility.

The sandbox arrives amid global economic uncertainty and a resurgence in crypto markets. Bitcoin recently reached new highs, bolstered by favorable U.S. regulatory moves, including passage of the Genius Act and policy signals from the Trump administration. Analysts note, however, that risks remain tied to regulatory consistency and geopolitical developments.

Thai authorities view these crypto-friendly policies as part of a broader strategy to future-proof the economy. The sandbox serves as both a tourism stimulus and a testbed for building a digital asset infrastructure that could eventually underpin Thailand’s ambition to become a leader in digital finance across Southeast Asia. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand is awaiting the final outcome of sensitive trade negotiations with the United States, with a decision on US tariffs expected by August 1 or 2. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has indicated that the tariff rate on Thai exports will not remain at the previously floated 36 percent and is likely to align with regional peers such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which currently face 19–20 percent tariffs. Analysts expect a similar rate for Thailand, seeing this as a potential stabilizing factor for trade flows and investor sentiment, particularly in energy and chemical sectors.

The talks were revived following an unconditional ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which US President Donald Trump had linked to continued trade negotiations. Trump had warned that failure to halt the cross-border conflict would result in maintaining or raising tariffs. With the ceasefire in place, Trump has since allowed negotiations to resume, and Thai officials believe an agreement can be reached in time. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3]

Amid these developments, domestic political pressure is building. The opposition has announced plans to submit an urgent parliamentary motion to question the government’s handling of the negotiations and the conflict. Lawmakers expressed concern about the fragility of the ceasefire and urged greater transparency in both military and diplomatic engagements. Some senators have proposed drastic measures — including the declaration of martial law in seven border provinces, closing checkpoints, and suspending diplomatic ties with Cambodia — to ensure national security and leverage in the border dispute. [Bangkok Post 4]

Vietnam’s new Law on Management and Investment of State Capital in Enterprises (Law No. 68/2025/QH15), effective from August 1, 2025, marks a significant shift in the governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Adopted in June 2025, the law seeks to modernize how the government oversees its investments, emphasizing decentralization, transparency, and performance-based oversight.

A core feature of the law is the separation of state ownership functions from enterprise operations. SOEs are now granted broader autonomy over business decisions, including investment plans, internal restructuring, and salary frameworks. State capital representatives no longer intervene in daily operations but are held to new performance criteria tied to profitability and budget contributions.

The law also includes detailed provisions for equitization, restructuring, and capital transfers, aiming to facilitate private participation and improve asset efficiency. SOEs with 50 percent or more state capital are required to update their internal governance frameworks by the end of 2026.

Three implementing decrees are expected to clarify procedures for investment, supervision, and restructuring. The reform aligns with Vietnam’s broader economic modernization goals and is designed to improve SOE competitiveness and attract private and foreign capital. [Vietnam.VN]

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Application plans to officially establish the country’s long-awaited Personal Data Protection (PDP) Authority by August 2025. The process is in the final harmonization phase, with more than 200 provisions of the 2022 Personal Data Protection Law under review. According to the law, the authority must be formed within two years of its enactment.

The PDP Authority will serve as Indonesia’s central data regulator, responsible for setting policies, monitoring compliance, issuing administrative sanctions, overseeing cross-border data transfers, and supporting enforcement and dispute resolution. Its creation has gained urgency following a proposed agreement with the United States allowing the transfer of Indonesian citizen data, as part of a broader trade negotiation.

The authority will have wide-ranging powers, including conducting audits, investigating violations, and cooperating with international regulators. Its establishment is expected to reinforce Indonesia’s data governance system and ensure better protection of personal data, especially in the context of international transfers. [Indonesia Business Post]

On June 5, 2025, the Government of Indonesia issued Government Regulation No. 28/2025 on the Organisation of Risk-Based Business Licensing, replacing the previous 2021 regulation. This new framework expands the risk-based licensing approach from 16 to 22 sectors, incorporating areas such as the creative economy and digital services. It aims to enhance transparency, digitalization, and legal predictability, especially for small and medium enterprises.

Key changes include mandatory use of the Online Single Submission (OSS) platform, stricter timelines for environmental approvals, and clearer rules on licenses required after initial business approval—termed “Business Licensing to Support Business Activities.” These secondary licenses cover areas like product distribution and operational feasibility and are tied to the risk level of the specific activity or product.

Environmental licensing is now fully digital, with technical assessments—such as emissions or wastewater compliance—required within specific deadlines. Integrated businesses operating under multiple industrial classifications can submit a single environmental document if activities occur within the same ecosystem, applying the strictest applicable standard. [Lexology]

2025年6月5日，印度尼西亚政府颁布了2025年第28号政府条例——《基于风险的商业许可》，取代了原先2021年的法规。新规将适用风险许可制度的行业从16个扩大至22个，新增创意经济和数字服务等领域，旨在提升透明度、推进数字化进程并增强法律确定性，尤其惠及中小企业。

主要修订内容包括：强制使用在线单一提交（OSS）平台、设定更严格的环境审批时限，以及明确企业初始登记后所需的"商业运营辅助许可证"规则。这类次级许可涉及产品分销、运营可行性等领域，其审批要求与具体业务或产品的风险等级挂钩。

环境许可审批现已全面实现数字化，技术评估（如排放达标或废水合规审查）需在规定时限内完成。若企业在同一生态圈内开展多项业务，即使涉及不同行业分类，也可提交单一环境许可申请文件，但须适用相关标准中最严格的要求。 [Lexology]

On June 30, 2025, Indonesia announced a major regulatory reform under Trade Ministry Regulation No. 16 of 2025 to ease import restrictions on 10 strategic commodities. The reform—effective by the end of August 2025—removes several non-tariff barriers and simplifies procedures for goods including forestry products, fertilizers, plastics, alternative fuels, food trays, selected chemicals, pearls, bicycles, synthetic sweeteners, and footwear.

The regulation streamlines import documentation and reduces reliance on overlapping ministry approvals. Importers will now deal primarily with limited verification requirements, while environmental oversight remains in place for sensitive goods like forestry products, which require self-declared legal traceability.

The move is intended to reduce red tape, attract foreign investment, and support domestic industrial productivity. It offers immediate operational benefits to international suppliers and aims to enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness in the region. However, sectors like textiles and apparel remain excluded from the reform to protect local manufacturers. [ASEAN Briefing]

2025年6月30日，印度尼西亚通过贸易部2025年第16号条例宣布了一项重大监管改革，放宽对10类战略商品的进口限制。此项改革将于2025年8月底生效，取消多项非关税壁垒，并简化林业产品、化肥、塑料、替代燃料、餐盘、特定化学品、珍珠、自行车、合成甜味剂及鞋类等商品的进口程序。

新规大幅精简进口文件要求，减少跨部门重复审批，进口商现仅需满足基本核查条件。但林业产品等敏感商品仍保留环境监管要求，需提供合法性自我声明。

此举旨在简化行政程序、吸引外资并提升国内产业效能，将为国际供应商带来直接便利，同时增强印尼在区域内的竞争力。不过，为保护本土制造商，纺织服装等行业暂不纳入此次改革范围。 [ASEAN Briefing]